Gaming machine and method of detecting fraud in the same

Abstract

A slot machine has a coin sensor, which is connected to a CPU via a signal line, and generates a coin-detecting signal upon insertion of a coin. The slot machine stands by for execution of a game in response to the coin insertion, under the control of the CPU. A reel-stop switch is connected to the CPU via a signal line, and generates a reel-stop signal in response to a button depression. A test signal generator outputs a test signal to the signal line of the reel-stop switch. The CPU checks the signal line of the coin sensor. If the test signal is detected through the signal line of the coin sensor, execution of the game is inhibited, whereby a fraudulent operation is detected.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A gaming machine in which a reward is determined in accordance with a result of playing a game, comprising: a controller for executing said game;   first signal generator means for generating a first signal in response to a first external operation so as to send said first signal to said controller;   second signal generator means for generating a second signal in response to a second external operation so as to send said second signal to said controller; and   test signal generator means for sending a test signal toward a selected one of said first and second signal generator means, said controller checking a signal from the remaining one of said first and second signal generator means during generation of said test signal and, if said test signal is detected in said checked signal, inhibiting payment of said reward, detection of said test signal indicating fraudulent operation of the gaming machine;   said test signal generator means and said gaming machine receiving power from a common power supply.   
     
     
       2. A gaming machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising third signal generator means for generating a third signal in response to a third external operation, and wherein said test signal generator means sends said test signal toward a specified one of said first to third signal generator means, and said controller checks signals from the remaining two of said signal generator means, or said test signal generator means sends said test signal toward said remaining two signal generator means, and said controller checks a signal from said specified one signal generator means. 
     
     
       3. A gaming machine as defined in claim 2, wherein said third signal generator means comprises at least one of a starting switch, a reward-crediting switch, and a credit-playing switch. 
     
     
       4. A gaming machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said first external operation is to play a bet. 
     
     
       5. A gaming machine as defined in claim 4, wherein said reward and said bet are each constituted of at least one coin. 
     
     
       6. A gaming machine as defined in claim 5, wherein said first signal generator means is a coin sensor for detecting said coin as played. 
     
     
       7. A gaming machine as defined in claim 1, which is a slot machine, and further comprises a plurality of reels, and wherein said second signal generator means is operated to stop at least one of said reels. 
     
     
       8. A gaming machine as defined in claim 7, wherein there are three reels, and said second signal generator means comprises three stop switches corresponding respectively to said reels. 
     
     
       9. A gaming machine as defined in claim 1, wherein, when said fraudulent operation is detected, further games are prevented from execution. 
     
     
       10. A gaming machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising: pay-out means for paying out said reward; and   inhibiting means controlled by said controller for inhibiting said pay-out means when said fraudulent operation is detected.   
     
     
       11. A gaming machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising warning means for indicating when said fraudulent operation is detected. 
     
     
       12. A gaming machine as defined in claim 11, wherein said warning means includes at least one of a speaker and an indicator for signaling said fraudulent operation at least one of acoustically and visually. 
     
     
       13. A gaming machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said test signal generator means generates said test signal when power is supplied initially to said machine. 
     
     
       14. A gaming machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said test signal generator means generates said test signal when said game providing said reward is ended. 
     
     
       15. A gaming machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said test signal is generated when a game providing a reward determined as biggest is ended. 
     
     
       16. A gaming machine which, in response to a first external operation, becomes enabled to execute a game, and in which said game is executed while said machine is enabled to execute said game so as to determine a reward, comprising: a controller for executing said game;   first signal generator means connected to said controller via a signal line for generating a first signal representing a game-enabled state in response to said first external operation;   second signal generator means connected to said controller via a signal line for generating a second signal in response to a second external operation performed before determination of said reward; and   test signal generator means for outputting a test signal to said signal line of a selected one of said first and second signal generator means, said controller checking said signal line of the remaining one of said first and second signal generator means during generation of said test signal and, if said test signal is detected through said signal line of said remaining one signal generator means, inhibiting payment of said reward, detection of said test signal indicating fraudulent operation of said gaming machine;   said test signal generator means and said gaming machine receiving power from a common power supply.   
     
     
       17. A gaming machine as defined in claim 16, which further comprises third signal generator means for generating a third signal in response to a third external operation, and wherein said test signal generator means sends said test signal toward a specified one of said first to third signal generator means, and said controller checks signals from the remaining two of said signal generator means, or said test signal generator means sends said test signal toward said remaining two signal generator means, and said controller checks a signal from said specified one signal generator means. 
     
     
       18. A method of detecting fraudulent operation in a gaming machine by a test signal generating means, said gaming machine and said test signal generating means receiving power from a common power supply; wherein, a first signal enabling execution of a game is input upon a first external operation to a controller through a first signal line, a second signal is input upon a second external operation to said controller through a second signal line, and thereafter a reward for said game is determined, said method comprising the steps of:   outputting a test signal to said second signal line;   checking said first signal line; and   if said test signal is detected through said first signal line, inhibiting payment of said reward, detection of said test signal indicating said fraudulent operation.   
     
     
       19. A fraud detecting method as defined in claim 18, wherein said gaming machine is a slot machine having a plurality of reels, and wherein said second signal is input to stop said reels. 
     
     
       20. A fraud detecting method as defined in claim 18, wherein said first external operation is to play a bet. 
     
     
       21. A fraud detecting method as defined in claim 19, wherein a third signal is input upon a third external operation to said controller through a third signal line, and said test signal is output to a specified one of said first to third signal lines, and said controller checks signals from the remaining two of said signal lines, or said test signal is output to said remaining two signal lines, and said controller checks a signal from said specified one signal line. 
     
     
       22. A fraud detecting method as defined in claim 21, wherein said third signal line comprises at least one of respective signal lines from a starting switch, a reward-crediting switch, and a credit-playing switch. 
     
     
       23. A method of detecting fraudulent operation in a gaming machine by a test signal generating means, said gaming machine and said test signal generating means receiving power from a common power supply; wherein, a first signal enabling execution of a game is input upon a first external operation to a controller through a first signal line, a second signal is input upon a second external operation to said controller through a second signal line, and thereafter a reward for said game is determined, said method comprising the steps of:   outputting a test signal to said first signal line;   checking said second signal line; and   if said test signal is detected through said second signal line, inhibiting payment of said reward, detection of said test signal indicating said fraudulent operation.   
     
     
       24. A fraud detecting method as defined in claim 23, wherein said third signal line comprises at least one of respective signal lines from a starting switch, a reward-crediting switch, and a credit-playing switch.